The grange hall had been the center of community activities since the late 1800s all across the United States. It was the idea of Oliver Hudson Kelley of Minnesota in 1867. The organization, also known as the Patrons of Husbandry, was founded as a fraternal organization for the political interests of the farmers and rural dwellers. The grange was the place where families gathered for suppers, shows, movies, graduations, dances and parties. The grange was the place for entertainment before television was invented.
There were 540 granges throughout the state of Maine and 30 in Aroostook County. There are less than 200 in the state today and only a handful that are active.
Rolf Staples, Sr., from Bangor is the leader of the grange development team. He said, “It is a shame this beautiful building is just sitting here idle. The grange has so much to give. It brings the community together. Children learn how important family is, about patriotism, service, cooperation and teamwork. Grange members interact as a family while discussing matters of importance to their nation, state, communities and themselves.
The subordinate grange organization accepts members as young as 14, and the junior grange, from five to 14. The younger members do service projects around the community. They do jobs for the elderly, pick up litter, stack wood, plant flowers, mow lawns and shovel snow. Children learn that these jobs are not always monetarily rewarded, but the reward is knowing that you have given of yourself to help someone else.
Can the Monticello Grange be revived? That is the question. Staples, and his team are confident that it will be.
Walking through the building is very nostalgic. It appears to be ready for a supper or some sort of gathering. It looks like the members are just out for a time with plans to return and pick up where they left off. The centerpieces are on the tables in the dining room, the kitchen has dishes, silverware and small appliances ready to be used. The wide stairway that leads you upstairs is as solid as a rock. Once you reach the upper floor you notice the closed ticket window that was used so many years ago. It’s a small window painted yellow. I wonder how many tickets were sold for events? I wonder how much they might have cost?
The next large room is the gymnasium with a shiny hardwood floor. Basketball games were once played there and there’s a shuffleboard painted in one corner. I wonder who might have played there? Is there anyone still living that could talk about it?
At the far end of the gym there is a stage. It is all set up like a living room. Do you suppose that was used as a scene in a play? The officer’s stations are in place ready for the next meeting. There’s even a piano and it sounds pretty good, too. As you scan this large room you notice the beautiful tin walls with their decorative patterns. These patterns continue onto the ceiling. As you look toward the back of the auditorium you notice there was once a balcony. It has been closed in with paneling, ugh! But that could easily be removed.
Climbing one more level you emerge onto the closed-in balcony and see the risers still in place and a projection booth built in the center. Do you suppose they had silent movies once upon a time? Oh, if those walls could talk, what great stories they could tell.
There are still former members of the Monticello Grange in the community. If this venture is successful, paying their back dues will reinstate them. One such member, Wendell Harvey was at the grange to give the development team their tour. Harvey had been a member for more than 40 years and had the designation of being a Grand Master. He said that his elementary school graduation in 1940 was held at the Grange. So you see, there are still some people who can share their stories; they just need to be asked.
If the Grange is reactivated there are some repairs that will need to be dealt with such as a new roof and other construction issues.
Staples said, “This building is already on the National Register and noted for its interior tinwork. It needs to be saved and used. There are many low-interest loans available to assist with the updating of the structure.”
The development team continued north to visit other towns that are or have been in the grange family. One of the destinations was Perham. This small town had requested their visit because they want to have a grange.
So who knows, a thing of the past just may become a new found interest in the 21st century. The empty dining room and auditorium may be filled with activity once more, and the grange could begin another 100 years of life.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Oct.29, 6 p.m. at the Friendly Village Center on 37 Silver Street in Monticello, just off to the west of Main Street. Staples and his committee will be there to answer your questions and provide information. There will also be entertainment and refreshments.
For more information contact Rolf Staples, Sr. at 907-4137 or e-mail him at swederolf@aol.com.
